Our book review this month is Ashamed of the Gospel—When the Church Becomes the World, by Dr. John MacArthur. This is an updated version of his classic work with a lengthy new introduction and a couple of new chapters. Still, however, the overall message of this new publication issues a warning against pragmatism (where the ends justifies the means). Read more…
Posted on June 1st, 2010 by Scott
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Church Library
Our book review this month is Improving Your Serve, by Dr. Charles Swindoll.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
Dr. Swindoll uses this verse as a contrast to what the world around us would lead us to believe. In our author’s typical satirical fashion, he comments that philosophers are people who talk about something they don’t understand, and then they make you think it’s your fault that you don’t understand them! Read more…
Posted on May 1st, 2010 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
Our book review this month is another H.A. Ironside commentary, Mark. In the author’s introduction, Ironside mentions, “To Mark it fell by divine appointment to show us the Son of God acting in lowly grace and devoted subjection to the Father as the perfect servant and prophet of the Holy One.” Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2010 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
Our first review of 2010 is 1 & 2 Thessalonians, written by Henry A. Ironside, pastor of Moody Memorial Church for 18 years. Dr. Ironside was noted for his simple, clear teaching of complex scriptural truth. In fact, his favorite two quotations were, “Put the cookies on the bottom shelf where the little kiddies can get ‘em” and “Christ didn’t tell Peter to feed his giraffes. He told him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” Read more…
Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
“Romans is Paul’s masterpiece, a key that unlocks the door to vast treasures of scripture.” That is how Irving L. Jensen introduces us to the book of Romans. Our book reviewed this month is part of a series of self-study guides written by Jensen and published by Moody Bible Institute. What is paramount in a Jensen study is the structured, thorough, analytical approach to each lesson. Charts, outlines, and graphs compact the information, giving it quite a density in a mere 100 pages. If you’re looking for a casual read, look elsewhere. Jensen’s methods of confirmations, followed by tough review questions, are designed to induce long-term memory. Here is his methodology (paraphrased):
As you can tell from this intense study workout, once you are done, you will have a much greater grasp of the flow and content of the book of Romans, as well as key concepts, words and verses.
Editor’s Note: Those in Elim’s Tuesday morning Bible study who have delved into Romans have come away with a much greater grasp of the righteousness of God and the ungodliness of men. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse (Romans 1:18-20).
Yes, an Irving Jensen study, such as this one on Romans, can be a mental workout, but the rewards are eternal. For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8).
Posted on June 1st, 2009 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
[Editor’s note: This is certainly a book well worth reviewing! The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) announced on March 19th, 2009, the winners of the 2009 Christian Book Awards during the 2009 Christian Book Expo (CBE) in Dallas. For the first time in the award’s 30-year history, a study Bible was named Christian Book of the Year, the ESV (English Standard Version) Study Bible. Many of you have copies of this new Bible translation, first published in October, 2008. As the version that Pastor Larry uses in study and preaching, it has become a common fixture around Elim. But why a study Bible of this translation? Let’s look into Scott Norman’s Q&A files to see why!]
Posted on April 1st, 2009 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
Our book review this month is Grace in the End, A Study in Deuteronomic Theology by J. Gordon McConville, which is taken from the series Studies in Old Testament Biblical Theology. This is a wonderful book with a simple and natural division. The first five chapters are apologetic, that is, they provide a a formal defense and reasoned argument against the claims of the “higher critical school of theology.” Read more…
Posted on March 1st, 2009 by Scott
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Church Library
Our book review this month is An Introduction to Bible Archaeology by Howard F. Vos. This little paperback is divided into ten short chapters of about a dozen pages each. Topics covered by chapter include Nature and Purpose, Why Ancient Cities and Civilizations Disappeared, Geography and the Bible Lands, Organizing and Conducting an Excavation, Dating the Finds, Archaeology and Text, Archaeology and Narratives, Archaeology and Kings, Archaeology and Bible Cities, and The Apologetic Value of Bible Archaeology. Read more…
Posted on November 1st, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library
Our book review this month is A Practical Exposition on the Lord’s Prayer by Thomas Manton (1620-1677), Puritan pastor from Somerset, England, who served as a chaplain for Oliver Cromwell. It is part of The Works of Thomas Manton, Volume 1. Read more…
Posted on October 15th, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Church Library
Our book review is a follow-up to Meet the Puritans reviewed in the July/August edition of the Elim Refresher. The topic is prayer, published in one volume as three essays titled Prayer by John Bunyan, The Return of Prayer by Thomas Goodwin, and The Saint’s Jewel by Thomas Shepard. Read more…
Posted on September 1st, 2008 by Scott
Filed under: From the Church Library